JP2024012271A - Distance sensor device that identifies position of body moving along motion trajectory in vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a distance sensor device 1 that determines a position of a body 3 moving along a motion trajectory BB in a vehicle.SOLUTION: The distance sensor device 1 includes: forming means 5 for forming a magnetic field having at least two mutually perpendicular components extending perpendicularly to a motion trajectory BB at least over a distance covered by a moving body 3; first measuring means having sensitivity to at least two mutually perpendicular components of the formed magnetic field and developing at least one measuring plane to identify a position of the moving body 3 on the motion trajectory BB by a pair of values of two of the mutually perpendicular components; and second measuring means for detecting an instantaneous value of one of the at least two mutually perpendicular components and comparing it with a threshold value to calculate a switching point. The forming means 5 or the measuring means are connected to the moving body 3 for movement relative to each other, and the switching point is defined by a common alignment of the first measuring means and the second measuring means with respect to the motion trajectory BB.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a distance sensor device that identifies the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory within a vehicle. The invention also covers vehicles equipped with such a distance sensor device for determining the position of the brake pedal.

According to the prior art, in order to detect the pedal distance of a pedal in a vehicle, in particular a brake pedal, a magnetic linear distance sensor evaluates the magnetic angle of the magnetic flux density vector in a two-dimensional plane. A suitable conversion process converts the magnetic angle into a linear output signal representative of pedal distance. Due to the high power consumption of commercially available evaluation control circuits, which are generally configured as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), wake-up functions are used to wake up the system from a quiescent state.

A magnetic sensor moving along a trajectory is known from DE 10 2008 006 238 A1 for determining the position of a moving body. The sensor comprises forming means ensuring the formation of a magnetic induction with two components perpendicular to each other, one extending perpendicular to the trajectory; and measuring means which are sensitive and determine the position of the moving body as a function of the pair of induced values of the two components. The means for forming a magnetic induction comprises at least two magnets having magnetic axes with mutually opposite orientations, wherein the at least two magnets extend parallel to the linear trajectory or circularly. They extend in the same linear direction so as to extend in contact with the orbit of the shape.

German Patent Application No. 102008006238

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A distance sensor device for determining the position of a body moving along a trajectory of movement in a vehicle, having the features of independent claim 1, provides a distance sensor device for determining the position of a body moving along a trajectory of movement in a vehicle, by means of second measuring means, based on the magnetic flux density, dependent on the trajectory of movement. This has the advantage that switching or activation functions can be realized at settable switching points. Advantageously, the first measuring means and the second measuring means of the distance sensor device are aligned in common, so that the switching point is located at a desired or set position so that switching is possible even in the case of long movement trajectories. It becomes possible to optimize the extension properties of the magnetic field measured over the motion trajectory so that no point is reached.

Embodiments of the distance sensor device according to the present invention can be used, for example, for a brake pedal of a vehicle coupled to a moving body, where the trajectory of the moving body is determined by the pedal distance. It is. The switching or activation function can be, for example, a wake-up function and/or a brake light function that is activated at a switching point set by the brake pedal. The wake-up function makes it possible, for example, to easily activate the corresponding vehicle's electrical system by means of the brake pedal. The brake light function can be used as a fallback means for activating the brake lights, for example to indicate a manually initiated braking process. By common alignment of the first measuring means and the second measuring means of the distance sensor device, the position of the switching point can be easily adjusted to different requirements. Thereby, both a wake-up function and a brake light function for operating the vehicle system can be realized. This is because the brake lights remain activated even with long brake pedal travel trajectories or pedal distances and are not turned off again. The realization of the wake-up function and the brake light function can therefore be performed by a single conventional magnetic switching element, which allows significant cost savings.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a distance sensor device for identifying the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory in a vehicle, the distance sensor device identifying the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory within a vehicle, the distance sensor device identifying the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory within a vehicle, the distance sensor device identifying the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory within a vehicle; forming means configured to form a magnetic field having at least two mutually perpendicular components extending perpendicularly to the magnetic field and sensitive to at least two mutually perpendicular components of the formed magnetic field; , and configured to develop at least one measuring plane to determine the position of the moving body on the trajectory of motion as a function of a pair of values of two of the mutually perpendicular components. and second measuring means configured to detect the instantaneous value of one of the at least two mutually perpendicular components and compare it with a threshold value to determine the switching point. . The forming means or the measuring means are provided to be connected to the moving body for movement relative to each other. Here, the switching point is defined by common alignment of the first measuring means and the second measuring means with reference to the motion trajectory.

In addition, a vehicle is proposed that is equipped with a braking system that includes a brake pedal. In this case, the position of the brake pedal is determined by the distance sensor device.

In the following, a first measuring means is understood to be a measuring device with at least one measuring element configured to be sensitive in at least two mutually perpendicular measuring directions. Preferably, the first measuring means comprises at least two measuring elements arranged in a common part and each configured to be sensitive in a preferred measuring direction, where each of the different measuring elements Preferred measurement directions extend perpendicular to each other. In this case, the measuring directions of at least two measuring elements can develop a common measuring plane or can be arranged in mutually shifted measuring planes with normals running parallel to each other. can. Furthermore, the first measuring means can have two measuring elements for each mutually perpendicular component of the magnetic field to be detected, these two measuring elements having the same They are spaced apart from each other in the spatial direction.

In the following, second measuring means is understood to be a measuring device with at least one measuring element configured to be sensitive in a preferred measuring direction.

Advantageous refinements of the distance sensor arrangement according to independent claim 1 and of the vehicle according to independent claim 13 are obtained by the measures and developments specified in the respective dependent claims.

Particularly advantageously, the measuring means can be arranged on a common circuit carrier and/or in a common component casing. In this case, the common circuit carrier and/or the common component casing can be configured to be rotatable about an axis that corresponds to the normal to the at least one measuring plane of the first measuring means. This advantageously allows the switching point to be easily shifted by mechanical tilting or mechanical rotation of the common circuit carrier and/or the common component housing. Typically, the measuring means are fixed, oriented parallel to the surface of the forming means, and the mechanical construction of conventional systems does not allow for changing these set positions. The common circuit carrier and/or the common component casing can be mechanically tilted or rotated with respect to the movement trajectory, so that the switching point can be made dependent on the tilting angle or the rotation angle, depending on the customer's requirements. can be adjusted optimally. By tilting or rotating to a positive angle, the possible switching point moves only a relatively small distance.

In an advantageous embodiment of the distance sensor arrangement, the rotational position of the common circuit carrier and/or the common component housing relative to the movement trajectory can be predetermined in order to define the switching point. This can be done, for example, using simulation and/or experimental construction for a set system design. Advantageously, the switching threshold can be further individually calibrated at the end of the production line in order to minimize the influence of integration errors on the switching point.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the distance sensor arrangement, at least two mutually perpendicular components of the individual value pairs are in each case spatially separated from each other in the same spatial direction of the first measuring means by a difference. It can be determined from the two measured values that can be detected by the two measuring elements. Such differential detection of at least two mutually perpendicular components allows the detection of the magnetic field components to be robust to interfering magnetic fields.

In another advantageous embodiment of the distance sensor device, the first measuring means comprises a magnetic angle sensor sensitive to at least two mutually perpendicularly extending components of the magnetic field and an output signal of the magnetic angle sensor. and a first evaluation control unit configured to receive and transmit as corresponding magnetic angle values and calculate the position of the moving body for each magnetic angle value. In this case, the measured value of the first component of the magnetic field may represent the sine value of the magnetic angle, and the measured value of the second component of the magnetic field may represent the cosine value of the magnetic angle. The magnetic angle sensor is preferably constructed as a Hall sensor with at least two detection directions. Determining the current position of the moving body may advantageously be carried out on the basis of an arctangent function or an approximated arctangent function of two mutually perpendicular components. The approximated arctangent function preferably corresponds to a linearized arctangent function.

In another advantageous configuration of the distance sensor arrangement, the second measuring means is sensitive to one component of the at least two mutually perpendicularly extending components of the magnetic field and is sensitive to the effective magnetic flux. a magnetic flux density sensor configured to detect an instantaneous value of the density; and a second magnetic flux density sensor configured to compare the instantaneous value of the effective magnetic flux density with a threshold value to determine whether a set switching point has been reached. 2 evaluation control units. In this case, the second evaluation control unit can further be configured to output at least one actuation signal when a set switching point is reached. Here, the first activation signal can be determined, for example, as a wake-up signal to activate at least the first evaluation and control unit. Of course, other electrical or electronic systems can also be activated or activated by corresponding activation signals. Here, for example, the second activation signal can be determined to activate a brake light function of the vehicle. The magnetic flux density sensor is preferably configured as a Hall sensor with a detection direction.

The first evaluation control unit and the second evaluation control unit can be understood here as an electrical module or an electrical circuit that can condition or process or evaluate the detected sensor signals. The evaluation control units may each have at least one interface that is configurable by hardware and/or software. In a hardware implementation, the interface may, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC that contains the various functions of the individual evaluation control unit. It is also possible for the interface to be its own integrated circuit or to consist at least partially of separate components. In a software implementation, the interface may be, for example, a software module located on the microcontroller alongside other software modules. Further, the program is stored on a machine-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory, and the program is executed by the first evaluation control unit and/or the second evaluation control unit and/or the upper control device. Also advantageous is a computer program product that includes program code used to carry out the evaluation.

In another advantageous embodiment of the distance sensor device, the movement trajectory can be set, for example, a linear movement or a circular movement of the moving body.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the distance sensor device, the forming means can have at least two magnets, the magnetic axes of each magnet having mutually opposite orientations. Here, the at least two magnets may extend in the same direction, parallel to the linear trajectory of motion or tangent to the circular trajectory of motion. Each magnet can be arranged spaced apart from one another along a linear trajectory of motion or along a direction tangential to a circular trajectory of motion. Such an embodiment of the forming means is particularly well suited for positioning a body on a trajectory of movement in combination with a magnetic angle sensor. Alternatively, the forming means may have at least one magnet with a special magnetization, for example a surface magnetization or a helical magnetization, in order to create a magnetic field with at least two mutually perpendicular components.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the description below. In the drawings, components or elements that perform the same or similar functions are provided with the same reference symbols.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a distance sensor device for determining the position of a body moving along a motion trajectory in a vehicle according to the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of electronic components for the distance sensor device according to the invention in FIG. 1; 2 is a magnetic flux density-distance characteristic curve diagram showing changes in various magnetic flux densities depending on the distance traveled by the moving body of FIG. 1. FIG.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the illustrated embodiment of a distance sensor device 1 according to the invention for determining the position of a body 3 moving along a motion trajectory BB in a vehicle has at least a forming means 5 for forming a magnetic field with at least two mutually perpendicular components Bx, By, Bz extending perpendicularly to the trajectory of motion BB over a distance of the body 3 that moves; It is sensitive to the mutually perpendicular components By, Bz, and by developing at least one measurement plane, the position of the moving body 3 on the motion trajectory BB is determined by two of the mutually perpendicular components. a first measuring means 16 for determining dependently on the pair of values of the components By, Bz and detecting the instantaneous value of one of the at least two mutually perpendicular components Bx, By, Bz to determine the switching point SP; and second measuring means 18 for comparing with the threshold value SW in order to calculate. The forming means 5 or the measuring means 16, 18 are provided to be connected to the moving body 3 for movement relative to each other. Here, the switching point SP is defined by common alignment of the first measuring means 16 and the second measuring means 18 with respect to the motion trajectory BB.

In the illustrated example, the moving body 3 corresponds to a piston 3A connected to a brake pedal, not shown in detail, of the brake system of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the movement trajectory BB sets a linear movement of the piston 3A, which is slidably supported in the hydraulic mechanism 9 of the brake system. Here, S corresponds to the distance traveled by the piston 3A, and this distance corresponds to the pedal distance of the brake pedal.

As can be further seen in FIG. 1, the forming means 5 has two magnets 5A, 5B, the magnetic axes of which have mutually opposite orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, the two magnets 5A, 5B of the forming means 5 are arranged in the piston 3A and extend in the same linear direction, extending parallel to the linear trajectory of movement BB. ing. The effective surfaces of the two illustrated magnets 5A, 5B lie in the xy plane. The magnets 5A, 5B have a mutual spacing set along the linear movement path BB or in the longitudinal direction y.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, of the distance sensor device 1, the movement trajectory BB sets a circular movement of the moving body 3. In this alternative embodiment, the two magnets 5A, 5B extend in the same linear direction, which extends tangentially to the circular trajectory of motion. The magnets 5A and 5B have a mutual spacing set along a direction tangent to the circular motion trajectory.

As can further be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the measuring means 16, 18 are part of a sensor unit 10, the cylindrical casing 12 of which has a receiving bore 9 for the hydraulic mechanism 9 of the vehicle brake system. It is located within .1. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the first measuring means 16 and the second measuring means 18 are arranged in a common component casing 19A of an electronic component 19, which here is an application-specific It is configured as an integrated circuit (ASIC) and is arranged on a circuit carrier 13 . In this way, the receiving hole 9.1 is provided in the hydraulic mechanism 9 in such a way that a gap 7 is created at a set height between the common component casing 19A and the magnets 5A, 5B of the forming means 5. ing. As can be further seen from FIG. 2, the first measuring means 16 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a first component By extending in the longitudinal direction y of the magnetic field and a second component By extending in the height direction z of the magnetic field. , where the first component By and the second component Bz extend perpendicularly to each other. The first measuring means 16 also receives the output signal of the magnetic angle sensor 16A and transmits it as a corresponding magnetic angle value, and determines the position of the moving body 3 along the distance S for each magnetic angle value. It includes a first evaluation control unit 14A that specifies. In the illustrated embodiment, the measured value of the first component By of the magnetic field represents the sine value of the magnetic angle, and the measured value of the second component Bz of the magnetic field represents the cosine value of the magnetic angle. ing. The determination of the current position of the moving body 3 is carried out in the illustrated embodiment on the basis of a linearized arctangent function of two mutually perpendicular components Bz, By. In the illustrated embodiment, the second measuring means 18 are sensitive to one of the at least two mutually perpendicularly extending components By, Bz of the magnetic field and are sensitive to the longitudinal direction y of the magnetic field. The magnetic flux density sensor 18A that detects the instantaneous value of the effective magnetic flux density corresponding to the first component By extending to and a second evaluation control unit 14B that calculates whether the switching point SP has been reached. Furthermore, the second evaluation control unit 14B outputs at least one actuation signal when the set switching point SP is reached. In the illustrated embodiment, the second evaluation control unit 14B outputs the first activation signal as a wake-up signal in order to activate at least the first evaluation control unit 14A. Of course, other electrical or electronic systems can also be activated or activated by corresponding activation signals. Furthermore, the second evaluation control unit 14B outputs a second activation signal for activating the brake light function of the vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic angle sensor 16A and the first evaluation control unit 14A and the magnetic flux density sensor 18A and the second evaluation control unit 14B are configured as a common electronic component 19, which is preferably are arranged in a common component housing 19A, which is designed as a molded housing. Alternatively, the magnetic angle sensor 16A and the first evaluation control unit 14A are configured as a first electronic component and arranged in the first component casing, and the magnetic flux density sensor 18A and the second evaluation control unit 14B are arranged as a first electronic component. It may also be configured as a second electronic component and placed within the second component casing. Further, the first electronic component and the second electronic component may be arranged in a common component casing. As a further alternative, the two evaluation and control units 14A, 14B can also be arranged on the printed circuit board 13 outside the common component housing 19A.

As can be further seen from FIG. 2, the magnetic angle sensor 16A and the magnetic flux density sensor 18A are arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction y. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the magnetic angle sensor 16A and the magnetic flux density sensor 18A are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance in the transverse direction x.

In an alternative embodiment of the distance sensor device 1, which is not shown, two mutually perpendicular components Bz, By of the individual value pair are determined by difference from the two measured values. This means that each two measuring elements of the first measuring means 16, which are arranged spatially apart from each other in the same spatial direction, each detect two measured values, and these two measured values This means that the corresponding measured value from is determined by difference formation.

In the following, a common alignment process of the first measuring means 16 and the second measuring means 18 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit carrier 13 is connected to the housing 12 of the sensor unit 10 in a rotationally fixed manner. The common circuit carrier 13 and the common component casing 19A can therefore be rotated together with the casing 12 of the sensor unit 10 about an axis of rotation which corresponds to the normal to at least one measuring plane of the first measuring means 16. Can be done. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation extends in the transverse direction x. In this case, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotational position of the housing 12 of the sensor unit 10 with a common circuit carrier 13 and a common component housing 19A, with reference to the movement trajectory BB for defining the switching point, is Specified in advance by simulation. In order to clarify the common alignment process of the first measuring means 16 and the second measuring means 18, FIG. A position display section 11 having a shape is shown. In FIG. 3, the magnetic flux density in the height direction z, which corresponds to the second component of the magnetic field, is shown as a solid characteristic curve Bz for information only. For a magnetic flux density By extending in the longitudinal direction y corresponding to the second component of the magnetic field or along the motion path BB, a plurality of characteristic curves By_0, By_5, By_10, By_15, By_-5, By_-10, By_-15 are shown. Depending on the tilt angle, the switching point SP can be adjusted according to customer requirements. Here, the solid characteristic curve By_0 shows the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion trajectory BB at an inclination angle of 0°. The point of intersection with the corresponding threshold value is shown as the switching point SP. The characteristic curve By_5, indicated by a dashed line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at an inclination angle of 5° in the counterclockwise direction. The characteristic curve By_10, indicated by a dash-dotted line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at an inclination angle of 10° in the counterclockwise direction. The characteristic curve By_15, indicated by a dotted line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density along the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at a tilt angle of 15° in the counterclockwise direction. By means of a positive anti-clockwise tilting angle, the possible switching point moves to a shorter distance S due to a shift in the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion trajectory BB. The characteristic curve By_-5, indicated by a short dashed line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at an inclination angle of -5° in the clockwise direction. The characteristic curve By_-10, indicated by a long dashed line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at an inclination angle of -10° in the clockwise direction. The characteristic curve By_-15, indicated by a long dash-dotted line, shows the course of the magnetic flux density along the longitudinal direction y or along the motion path BB at an inclination angle of -15° in the clockwise direction. By means of a negative angle tilting in the clockwise direction, the possible switching point moves to a longer distance S due to the shift of the course of the magnetic flux density in the longitudinal direction y or along the motion trajectory BB.

Claims (15)

A distance sensor device (1) for identifying the position of a body (3) moving along a motion trajectory (BB) in a vehicle, comprising:
configured to form a magnetic field having at least two mutually perpendicular components (Bx, By, Bz) extending perpendicularly to the trajectory of movement (BB) over at least a distance of the moving body (3); forming means (5);
said moving body on said motion trajectory (BB), being sensitive to at least two mutually perpendicular components (By, Bz) of the generated magnetic field and developing at least one measuring plane; (3) first measuring means (16) configured to determine the position of (16) in dependence on a pair of values of two of said mutually perpendicular components (By, Bz);
configured to detect an instantaneous value of one of the at least two mutually perpendicular components (Bx, By, Bz) and compare it with a threshold value (SW) to determine a switching point (SP); a second measuring means (18);
Equipped with
said forming means (5) or said measuring means (16, 18) are provided to be connected to said moving body (3) for movement relative to each other;
The switching point is defined by common alignment of the first measuring means (16) and the second measuring means (18) with respect to the motion trajectory (BB),
Distance sensor device (1). Distance sensor arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means (16, 18) are arranged on a common circuit carrier (13) and/or in a common component casing (19A). The common circuit support (13) and/or the common component casing (19A) are rotatable about an axis corresponding to a normal to at least one measuring plane of the first measuring means (16). Distance sensor device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the distance sensor device (1) is configured. The rotational position of the common circuit support (13) and/or the common component casing (19A) with respect to the motion trajectory (BB) is prespecified in order to define the switching point. Distance sensor device (1) according to item 3. At least two mutually perpendicular components (Bz, By) of each said pair of values are determined by a difference between two mutually spatially spaced components of said first measuring means (16) in the same spatial direction. Distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which can be determined from two measured values detected by one measuring element. The first measuring means (16) comprises a magnetic angle sensor (16A) sensitive to at least two mutually perpendicularly extending components (By, Bz) of the magnetic field; ) a first evaluation control unit (14A) configured to receive and transmit as a corresponding magnetic angle value an output signal of the moving body (3) and to calculate the position of the moving body (3) for each magnetic angle value. Distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining the current position of the moving body (3) is carried out on the basis of an arctangent function or an approximated arctangent function of two mutually perpendicular components (Bz, By). Distance sensor device (1) as described. The second measuring means (18) is sensitive to one of the at least two mutually perpendicularly extending components (By, Bz) of the magnetic field and is sensitive to one component of the effective magnetic flux density. A magnetic flux density sensor (18A) configured to detect an instantaneous value compares the instantaneous value of the effective magnetic flux density with the threshold (SW) to determine whether a set switching point (SP) has been reached. a second evaluation control unit (14B) configured to calculate
The second evaluation control unit (14B) is further configured to output at least one activation signal when the set switching point is reached.
Distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Distance sensor device (1) according to claim 8, wherein a first activation signal is determined to activate at least the first evaluation control unit (14A) as a wake-up signal. Distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the movement trajectory (BB) sets a linear or circular movement of the moving body (3). 11. Any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the forming means (5) comprises at least two magnets (5A, 5B), the magnetic axes of the magnets (5A, 5B) having mutually opposite orientations. Distance sensor device (1) according to. The at least two magnets (5A, 5B) are arranged in the same linear direction so as to extend parallel to the linear trajectory of motion (BB) or tangentially to the circular trajectory of motion. It extends,
The magnets (5A, 5B) are spaced apart from each other along the linear motion trajectory (BB) or along a direction tangent to the circular motion trajectory.
Distance sensor device (1) according to claim 11. Distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the forming means (5) comprises at least one magnet (5A, 5B) with a special magnetization. A vehicle equipped with a brake system including a brake pedal (3A), the position of which is determined by a distance sensor device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. ,vehicle. 15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein a second activation signal is determined to activate a brake light function of the vehicle.

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